Ruth 4:5-6, The Marriage of Ruth and Boaz

Tuesday, August 14

Next of Kin Declines the Offer

The next-of-kin was prepared to take on Elimelech's (Naomi's dead husband) inheritance of land. But he wasn't prepared to take on a wife, too! The text doesn't say why the man wasn't able to take on another wife. Whatever the reason, he declined the offer for both Ruth and the land.

Narrative Lectionary Text: Ruth 4:5-6

Then Boaz said, “The day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you are also acquiring Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead man, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance.” At this, the next-of-kin said, “I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”